Hello, I will be doing a Franchise with Texas Rangers in MLB 15 the Show. I will update after every series. I am doing this to keep people interested informed, and to keep track of milestones and interesting trades within the franchise.

It has been 11 seasons since the Rams have tasted the playoffs, a drought that has frustrated the St. Louis hopeful. In the 2004 season, they defeated the Seattle Seahawks at Qwest Field 27-20 before falling hard to the Atlanta Falcons 47-17 in the Georgia Dome. Since then the Rams have only had 1 non-losing season. With a dominating defense and new faces on the offensive end, the Rams hope to compete in a highly competitive NFC West that boasts the last three NFC representatives in the Super Bowl (Seattle twice and San Francisco once).

Since moving to St. Louis, the Rams have compiled an overall record of 153-184-1, have won the NFC West three times, have a 6-4 playoff record, made it to two NFC Championship games (1999, 2001), and have won one Super Bowl (1999).

A new era begins under owner Eric Pfeifer who has been a lifelong fan and now lives the dream of owning his childhood team.

This deal went down in the late hours of April 19th with the two AL Central rivals swapping players looking for a way to improve their bench more or less. Morales was having a horrible start to the year for the Royals sitting with a .164 average through the first 2 weeks of the season. He was mainly getting pinch hit AB's as the DH duties had fallen to Erik Kratz who has had a rebirth in KC hitting .250 as a backup catcher/DH on the team. Davis is still speedy and is a true speed threat off the bench or backing up Cain which is why KC made the move.

The Tigers meanwhile had Rajai Davis who was in decline as far as attributes go (everything -1 with Contact R and Vision at -2) to begin the year. That combined with a CF platoon of Gose/Bernard and the contract status of Kendrys Morales (under contract for 1 more year giving them a competent player to use in a rebuild) gave the Tigers that final push to make a deal.

Now on to the games!

Game One: The Padres rolled into town for a 4 game set against the Rockies who were looking to try and build upon the solid performance that was turned out in LA over that 3 game series. Unfortunately it was not to be in Game 1. Ian Kennedy looked like he did in his days as a prospect for the Yankees as he went 8 innings striking out a season high 13 (!!!!) Rockies while scattering only 4 hits and walking 2.

Kyle Kendrick meanwhile was manhandled giving up 8 hits over 6 innings before being relieved by Adam Ottavino who threw a great 3 innings in relief striking out 2 and giving up 0 hits to keep that ERA at 0.00 in these few appearances since coming up from AAA.

San Diego Padres at Colorado Rockies

Apr 20, 2015

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Game Notes: Wil Myers extended his hitting streak to 8 games for the Padres with a hit in the 8th inning. Rookie Kyle Parker didn't collect a hit but had a good day going 0-1 while walking 2 times (only walks Kennedy allowed). LeMahieu bobbled a ball in the 5th committing his 6th error already on this young season.

Game Two: The Rockies have so far gotten off to a disappointing start to being the 7 game homestead against San Diego and there was a lot of fear in the air as David Hale took the ball for the Rockies, his 8.59 ERA and all. Surprisingly Hale quieted the haters in the crowd throwing 8 strong innings and having quite a rebound game scattering 4 hits, getting 6 K's while only walking 2.

While Hale performed well so to did his opposite Brandon Morrow. Morrow went 7 innings picking up 8 K's and scattering 4 hits while only walking 2 before turning the game over to his bullpen.

It would take 10 innings before Upton crushed a Eddie Butler fastball in the top frame to give the Padres a 1-0 lead that would stand. Butler took the rare loss this season (and made a rare mistake out of the pen) as Craig "BlitzCraig" Kimbrel closed it out for his 3rd save of the season.

Padres at Rockies |

Apr 21, 2015

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Game Notes: The Rockies have now not scored a run in 28 innings dating back to the last game of the Dodger/Rockies series. The absence of key offensive figures is absolutely being felt now. Will Myers singled again to push his hitting streak to 9 games. LaTroy Hawkins pitched the 10th after Butler allowed the solo homer. Hawkins has lowered his ERA to exactly 1.00.

Game Three: With the Rockies now mired in a scoreless streak that feels like it's been a lifetime, they turn to their veteran starter Jorge De La Rosa to get the job done and pick up a win in the 3rd game of the series. He went to work right away and delivered an 8 inning gem scattering 4 hits while only surrendering 1 run and getting 6 K's. As good as he was the Rockies had not yet scored going into the bottom half of the 7th and the fear was palpable going up and down the Colorado lineup of suffering yet another shutout. To this point James Shields was firing darts but this would be the inning that pushed him from the game.

Nick Hundley doubled with 1 out and with Shields pitch count nearing 100 Bud Black called Troy Vincent out of the pen to come and deal with the weakened bottom of Colorado's order, assuming that a fresh arm could easilyy dispatch with Parker and Barnes. While Parker struck out swinging on 4 pitches, Brandon Barnes took a 0-2 fastball and launched it into left field giving the Rockies a 2-1 lead. The Rockies faithful were ecstatic and the thin air was blamed (or celebrated) for having obviously caused the homer. Morneau would later drive in Blackmon in the 8th to give the Rockies a 3-1 victory and snap a 3 game losing streak.

San Diego Padres at Colorado Rockies

Apr 22, 2015

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W: De La Rosa (1-1) L: Vincent (0-2) S: Axford (5)

Game Notes: This was the 2nd straight game that a Colorado starter went 8 innings. Oxford picked up his 5th save and lowered his ERA to 1.92. Will Myers once again went 1-4 and extended his hitting streak to 10 games.

Game Four: The Rockies sent staff ace (defacto ace really) Jordan Lyles to the mound in the last game of the longest home stand series yet to try and even out the series 2-2. He did ok for himself throwing 7.1 innings while only giving up 1 run on of all things an Andrew Cashner single that scored pinch hitter Will Venable. The Rockies however answered in stile in the bottom of the 8th with back to back up home runs by Tulowitzki and Morneau to make it 2-1 Colorado.

John Axford came out of the pen to try and get his 6th save of the year but would promptly give up a 2 out, 2 run homer to Yangervis Solarte that made the score 3-2 Padres. In would come Craig Kimbrel to try and stave off the Rockies in the bottom half of the inning and he too suffered and struggled. Willin Rosario singled home Brandon Barnes from 3rd to tie this one all up at 3-3 and forcing extras. It would be Drew Stubbs who would hit a sac fly in the 11th that scored Mike McKenry from third to give the Rockies a 4-3 walk off win!

Padres at Rockies |

Apr 23, 2015

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Game Notes: Rex Brothers came out of the pen to throw the 10th and 11th innings getting the win. He struck out the side in the 10th. Will Myers continued his hitting streak to 11 games now going 1-5 with a single in the 7th. The blown save in the 9th was the first for Kimbrel and the first for Axford this season.

The San Francisco Giants are waiting deck as there is no rest for the weary in this Colorado ball club. The matchups will be:

As the end of Preseason draws nearer, the NFL has apparently gone a little bit crazy with roster moves! Hordes of players have been signed and cut throughout the week. With far too many to track each one, we've included a couple of, what we believe to be, highlighted players.

Signed:

NYG - Tarell Brown CB - 1.58M - Probably not know to many, but Brown was one of the corners who helped San Fran become a shut-down defense in 2011. He's a quick corner with good fundamentals, and at 5' 11" he should flourish as a slot corner, where he is likely to play.

PIT - Antoine Cason CB - 1.4M - The former Charger has found another home for himself, in a position where he may start straight away. He will have to beat out Cortez Allen, but he may find his experience will win out. Otherwise he will be a nice locker room addition to this young secondary.

OAK - Barry Cofield DT - 1.98M - A very versatile lineman who transitioned well from a 4-3 rusher to a nose tackle. With big Dan Williams also on the team, the Raiders now have the freedom to pick and choose their defensive front, based on the play calling. It's a lot of cash, but as the only other DT on the roster, he may be a saving grace for this team in the future. The Chargers will take notice.

MIA - Jed Collins FB - 730K - Collins' career has been a very strange one. For the first three years of being an undrafted free agent, he joined the practice squad for SEVEN different teams. It wasn't until 2011 that he got his shot to start in New Orleans, where he helped raise their rushing attack from 22nd to 4th in the NFL.
This however all seemed to go unnoticed, and since 2013 he has signed to three more teams! Miami may have got a steal here, and hopefully the guy can finally find a place to call home!

NO - Le'Ron McClain FB - 850K - What, another Fullback! We hear you cry. Yes we know FB isn't sexy or interesting, but it's incredible what you can if you have a good one! McClain is possibly one of the most versatile FBs in the NFL, (think Charles Clay but not as athletic). He can block, he has some speed to be used in short yardage downs, and can also contribute in the passing game! Without Jed Collins, the Saints have made sure his replacement is up to standard!

DAL - Knowshon Moreno HB - 2.2M - With Demarco Murray now in Philly, the Cowboys may have reached a little here. Moreno, best known for his stint with Denver, (and that's it by the way), just got a big deal to replace the No.1 rushing attack in Dallas. He is not Demarco Murray, (heck, some might even say why isn't backup Lance Dunbar starting!), but he is more durable that Murray, and with the best O-line in the NFL, who's to say he can't contribute straight away?

The Right Call?: $2 million is a lot to spend on a guy when you have talented runners waiting in the wings. Even so, we will follow Moreno's progress this season. Also it was hard not to put a picture of him crying...

DET - Danario Alexander WR - 1.84M - The Receiver with glass knees is heading to Detroit! In all seriousness though, Alexander has had some shoddy luck in his career. Whenever he started hitting his stride, injury would bite him and that would be it. He's still talented, with great hands and a 6' 5" frame which should make him an easy target for Stafford. He'll start in the slot no doubt, before he inevitably gets injured. A risky signing, but we shall see.

Released:

CHI - Jeremiah Ratliff DT - For a while, many considered Ratliff the best DT in the NFL, but age and health concerns have ensured those days are gone. The undersized, 7th Rnd Pick spent a long time dominating offenses in the NFC East, but trust can't be bought, and his lack of trust for the orginization broke down, making him leave for Chicago.
He's reaching the twilight of his career no doubt, but he is still a force to be reckoned with. Unfortunately he joins a free agency loaded with aged, talented DTs, so finding a job might be tougher than expected.

STL - Isaiah Pead HB - Considered one of the top running backs in his draft, Pead has seen his football career take a tumble. After failing to break the starting lineup in his rookie season, he then suffered an ACL tear during the Preseason. He missed the entire year. Now left on the trade block, he may not see himself on a team unless he is to get lucky next year.

STL - Scott Wells C - (I don't know why this guy is rated OVR 63, but whatever!) If any team out there is need of a guy at C, don't hesitate to grab Scott Wells! The long-time Packer is extremely durable, (missing only one game between 2006-2012!), and highly experienced. After a stint with St. Louis, it's too bad to see that his career might be over from here, but let's hope someone realises his value!

DET - Lance Moore WR - The long-time Steeler is now a free agent. It is a shame as he is very talented as a slot receiver, but taking a chance on Danario Alexander, the Lions decided they would go for youth and athleticism. Let's hope it doesn't come back to bite them!

NYJ - Daryl Richardson HB - From 6th Rnd Pick, to solid backup in St. Louis, even beating out much higher rated player Isaiah Pead. Unfortunately, he won't be backup in New York this year. Based on his short stint on a team, he may not have enough upside to be signed, but we believe someone should at least give the kid a shot.

NYJ - Jason Babin OLB - Babin's career hasn't been as special as expected, after being a 1st Rnd Pick. He had a great stint with the Eagles at DE, but his production hasn't been what people had hoped. He may still find a job, but he would better going back to the DE spot.

PHI - Matt Barkley QB - NFL life has certainly been turned on it's head for Barkley. Formerly considered the top Heismann candidate, his stock took a slide after poor play and injury side-lined him for his senior year. He did not throw at the combine and was eventually picked in the 4th Round by Philly.
Now it looks like that dream has fallen further as he hits free agency. Still, he is young and has potential to grow into a solid backup if groomed correctly. We may see him on a team yet.

Fall From Grace: From Heismann candidate to free agent, Barkley's career has taken a turn for the worse.

MIA - LaMichael James HB - After breaking all sorts of records at Oregon College, and guiding them to a Rosebowl win, James is now on the street. There is often such a disconnect between great players in college and how it translates at the pro level. That said, James is completely unfounded territory at this point in his NFL career, so if some team does take a swing at him, they may be in for a great surprise!

CIN - Eric Winston OT - The journeyman tackle is on the move again, but this time not to a new team. Winston has bunch of pelts on the wall, and any team seeking O-line help would do well to get on the blower.

Trades:

NO - Trade D. Hawthorne MLB + 6th Rnd for L. Wilson TE - SEA - David Hawthorne is heading back to Seattle, the place where he made his bones. He'll play second to fiddle to Bobby Wagner, but should help the young man behind the scenes some. He knows the city and he knows the system.
On the flip-side, the Saints get a replacement for Jimmy Graham, or at least someone to play the same position. This does seem ludicrous though, trading away your star player to a team, only then to make another trade for a player of the same position? Why not keep the other guy?
Either way, the Saints get a replacement pass-catching TE, and lose more picks. Not what we would have done, but apparently their system relies on that TE position.

Injuries:

CAR - C. Tillman CB - Brk. Ankle (23 weeks) IR - Fans in Carolina are gonna be so bummed about this. They finally get the chance to have a legitimate starting corner, only to lose him for the rest of the season in a meaningless game. Management can't be too happy either! With a bunch of pelts on the wall, an injury like this at Tillman's age could spell the end of a career. We hope that he recovers and gets one more year on the field.

Preseason Strikes!: The argument for 'no more Preseason' couldn't be more vividly realised here. Without including the loss of contracts and money from teams, but also the well-being of the players.

OAK - C. Lofton MLB - Disc. Ankle (5 weeks) - Oakland will miss Lofton, who offered a force at MLB. Luckily the signing of Barry Cofield and talent at OLB, should allow backup Nick Roach to pick his spots and contribute as much as possible.

BUF - J. Hughes DE - Brk. Thumb (4 weeks) - Two injuries to big players on the Bills team this week. Both will miss a couple of regular season games. The loss of Hughes will be masked some by the rest of the talent on that D-line, but the news that he will be replaced by former OLB Manny Lawson, (at 240lbs!), seems a daft idea!

BUF - L. McCoy HB - Pulled Groin (4 weeks) - Rex Ryan blew up news headlines when he picked up running back extraordinaire McCoy, so it's tough he'll be without him for a bit. Luckily they still have Fred Jackson who is a MORE than capable backup. Expect the offense to run as normal for the weeks McCoy is gone.

The Bolts Insider is an independent news-letter, created by a long-time, avid Charger fan, dedicated to bringing you all the top news and results as they happen!

For the second straight year, the Mountain West Conference Championship game came down to Alaska State(12-0, 9-0) versus Air Force Academy (8-4, 5-2). ASU sophomore kicker Nate Clark was nailed 5 FG's on the day and the ASU defense shut down the Air Force offense, limiting them to 82 total yards on the day enroute to a 50-0 romp and the 4th straight conference title for the SnowCats.

Offensive Captain: TE Ben Palmer, 6-4, 228lb senior from Albany, Oregon. Ben was in one of the first recruiting classes for Coach Tietsworth. Ben moved to the Anchorage area with his twin sister, Mary, who is also enrolled and is a Criminal Justice Major. Ben is the schools all-time leading receiver at tight end, and may end this season as the schools all-time leading receiver. 138 career catches for 1572 yds and 13td. Ben has hopes of playing in the NFL, but also is interested in becoming a pastor back home in Albany, Oregon.

Defensive Team Captain: SS William Davis, a 6-3, 221lb junior from Red Springs, NC. William, or Billy, left the sandy beaches and warn weather of the south east for the oft cold and blustery Alaska. Why you ask? Well, Billy says he grew up not knowing winter very well, and on an official visit, he spent more time building a snow fort and making snow angels than he did touring the Alaska State facilities. Billy was hooked on the campus for the weather and football. Billy was a huge recruit, as he was a 3 time all-state nominee for both track and football. Billy will return with a degree in Environmental Science, and hopes to return home and start his own tobacco farm.

In a desperate search for a stable dynasty team for this season I stumbled across Arkansas State, UTSA, and UTEP. After 3 months of testing, thinking, and writing I decided on a dynasty.. Arkansas State. I'm aware that the Red Wolves went 7-6 last season which is pretty good but I went over the roster and there is A LOT of work to be done. I'm looking forward to the challenge.

-Housekeeping/Rules

Game System: Playstation 3
Quarter Length: 9 Minutes
Difficulty: Heisman
Recruiting difficulty: Heisman
Roster: 2015-16 OS Rosters v.1
Sliders: Mr. Hurricane's Minnesota Golden Gopher Dynasty sliders.
Recruiting Restrictions: None. It'll be hard to recruit so no restrictions on recruiting.
Transfers: If they want to leave. They do. I can't convince them.
Players declaring for NFL Draft: I can't bring them back.
Gameplay: I'll be playing EVERY game. No simulation.
Teambuilders: Georgia Southern will be going in for Georgia State and the reason for this is because G.Southern won the Sun Belt so they deserve to be in this dynasty so I replaced them with the last place team.
Appalachian State will be going in for Charlotte/UAB. I'm using the 2015-16 Rosters so Charlotte is in for UAB but I don't like them having UAB's Uni's so I'm changing them.

-About Head Coach Laurence Gilbert!
Age: 31
Skin Tone: Light (I'll upload pictures at another time)
Strength: Offense.
Types: Offense- Pistol; Defense- 4-3 Multiple
Background: A former Division 2 Standout at Kutztown University in Northeastern Pennsylvania this Golden Bear alumni knows football. He was a quarterback with great speed and he likes that in a QB. This is his first head coaching gig so his Coach Skill Tree will start from scratch. 0 free upgrades.

-History of Program
Straight from Wikipedia.

Early years (1911–1953)
The school itself was founded in 1909, and, two years later, Arkansas State fielded its first football team. In 1918, the team was temporarily disbanded due to the First World War. Arkansas State played without conference affiliation until 1929 when it joined the Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference. From 1937 until 1953, Arkansas State competed as a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA). After the 1941 season the football program was interrupted due to World War II and did not resume until the 1945 season. The school left the AIC in 1950 and would remain independent of conference affiliation for the next 12 years.

During the 1950s under coach Forrest England, ASU emerged as a bit of a regional football power, appearing in four post-season bowl games from 1951 to 1953. The Indians compiled a 48-22-9 record under England. The Indians played in two different bowls at the end of the 1951 season, winning the Refrigerator Bowl and losing the Tangerine Bowl (now known as the Capitol One Bowl). The Indians lost the 1952 Refrigerator Bowl and tied the 1953 Tangerine Bowl.

College Division years (1953–1972)
In 1953, Arkansas State moved to the NCAA, and played as a member of the College Division through 1972. The early part of this era was characterized by mediocre records under several short-term head coaches. In 1962 head coach King Block departed for Nebraska where he was to serve as defensive line coach.

Bennie Ellender was promoted from defensive backs coach to head coach, replacing Block in 1963 just prior to ASU joining the Southland Conference. Ellender would serve for 8 seasons compiling a 52-20-4 record culminating in an undefeated 11-0 College Division National Championship year in 1970. This championship season included a victory over Central Missouri State in the Pecan Bowl, the Indians 3rd consecutive bowl appearance under Ellender and 3rd straight Southland Conference championship. Ellender departed after the 1970 season to accept the head football coach position at his alma mater Tulane.

Centennial Bank Stadium, formerly known as Liberty Bank Stadium
Divisional realignment years (1973–1991)
In 1973, under head coach Bill Davidson, the Indians were reassigned to NCAA Division II. They remained in this classification for one year before being promoted to Division I. Arkansas State recorded an undefeated season (going 11-0) in Division I in 1975 and was one of only two undefeated Division I football teams that year. Arkansas State is one of only four institutions to have gone undefeated and not win a National Championship at the Division I-A (now Division I FBS) level. Since Arkansas State was a member of the Southland Conference, and the league did not have a bowl game tie-in, Arkansas State was not selected for post-season play despite being undefeated. As a result of this inequity, the Independence Bowl in Shreveport, Louisiana was created (though ASU has never played in the game). Davidson retired after the 1978 season due to health problems. Davidson compiled a 51-32-1 record during
During the 1980s, under head coach Larry Lacewell, Arkansas State played in the NCAA Division I-AA (now Division I FCS) compiling a 69-58-4 record and making four appearances in the playoffs, including a loss in the national championship game in 1986 to Georgia Southern, 48-21. After the 1986 season Arkansas State left the Southland Conference and became a I-AA Independent. Lacewell left ASU in 1989 after 11 season to accept an offer to be Johnny Majors' defensive coordinator at Tennessee.

Lacewell's departure came as the decision was being reached for Arkansas State to pursue entry into what is now Division I FBS.

FBS transition years (1992–2010)
The transition from I-AA (FCS) to I-A (FBS) football was a painful one for Arkansas State. The school spent most of the decade as a I-A Independent with two separate two-year stints as a member of the Big West Conference.

Al Kincaid came to Jonesboro from his post as an assistant at Alabama. He served as head coach for two seasons, posting 4-17-1 record before his dismissal. Kincaid was replaced by former Alabama head coach Ray Perkins. Perkins tenure was highly anticipated but ultimately a failure as he posted a 2-9 record in one season before joining Bill Parcells' staff with the New England Patriots as offensive coordinator.

Perkins was replaced by offensive line coach John Bobo who oversaw moderate improvements to the team's performance including ASU's first winning record since the start of the transition but he was unable to sustain that success and was fired after the 1996 season.

Bobo was replaced by the highly sought after offensive coordinator at Ohio State, Joe Hollis. Hollis was unable to adapt and posted a 13-43 record in five seasons before being relieved after the 2001 season.

In 2001 the Sun Belt Conference added football and Arkansas State joined the conference as an inaugural football member.

Steve Roberts came to Arkansas State from Northwestern State and was ASU's head football coach for nine seasons (2002-2010), where he compiled a 45-63 record. Although Roberts finished with an overall losing record at Arkansas State, the ASU football program made great strides under his leadership. During the 2005 football season, Arkansas State finished the regular season as Sun Belt Conference champions with a record of 6 wins and 5 losses and was invited to the New Orleans Bowl. This was the school's first bowl game since the trip to the 1970 Pecan Bowl and subsequent national college division championship. The Indians lost to The University of Southern Mississippi in the game, which was played that year in the city of Lafayette, Louisiana due to the lingering effects of Hurricane Katrina.

In 2008, Arkansas State changed its name from the Indians to the Red Wolves and defeated Texas A&M in their inaugural game with the new mascot. Players recruited by Roberts were the foundation of the highly successful teams of the "One and Done" era.

The One and Done era (2011–2013)
This three year period saw the Red Wolves achieve remarkable success on the field in the midst of unprecedented turnover in its coaching staff. The players recruited by Steve Roberts saw three conference championships, three bowl games, and two 10-win seasons under three different head coaches. Red Wolf players played all three bowl games without their head coach and with depleted coaching staffs. The program's continued success during the adversity of constant coaching changes received considerable national attention.

Hugh Freeze (2011)

Hugh Freeze
In 2011, led by first year head coach Hugh Freeze, Arkansas State went undefeated in the Sun Belt conference, a perfect 8-0 record, as well as going 10-2 overall. After the last regular season game, Freeze took the head coaching job at Ole Miss, taking four assistants with him. Running backs coach David Gunn was named the interim head coach and led the team to Mobile, Alabama for the 2012 GoDaddy.com Bowl. In that bowl, held on January 8, 2012, the Red Wolves were led by quarterback Ryan Aplin, as they squared off against the Northern Illinois Huskies at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Northern Illinois rallied back from a thirteen-point deficit for a 38-20 victory. Also in attendance in Mobile was Gus Malzahn, who was named Arkansas State's new head football coach on December 14, 2011.

Gus Malzahn (2012)
Gus Malzahn came to the Red Wolves from Auburn, where he had served the previous three seasons as offensive coordinator. In 2012, Arkansas State lost only one game in the Sun Belt Conference. For the first time in school history, they had back to back 10 win seasons (10-3 in 2012) and back to back Sun Belt conference championships. On December 4, 2012, Malzahn announced his return to Auburn as head coach, thus making it two years in a row the team would be coached by an interim in the post season. John Thompson coached the team to 17-13 victory at the 2013 GoDaddy.com Bowl against #25 Kent State on January 6, 2013. Former Texas Longhorns football offensive coordinator Bryan Harsin was named on December 11, 2012 to succeed the departing Malzahn.

Bryan Harsin (2013)
In 2013, Arkansas State under Bryan Harsin won the Sun Belt Conference, and received a bid to the GoDaddy Bowl for the 3rd time in as many years with a 7-5 (5-2 conference) regular season record. They were deemed co-champions this year with the UL-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns who were also 5-2 in conference. Before the GoDaddy Bowl, Harsin joined his predecessors in announcing his departure after one season to coach at his alma mater, Boise State. Harsin's contract included a $1.75 million buyout which was paid by Boise State. Defensive Coordinator John Thompson coached the team in the GoDaddy Bowl where Arkansas State blocked a Ball State field goal in the final seconds to hold on to a 23-20 win.

Blake Anderson era (2014-2015)
On December 19, 2013, Arkansas State hired Blake Anderson as the new head coach away from his offensive coordinator post at the University of North Carolina.In an attempt to end the "One and Done" era and provide much-needed coaching stability, Arkansas State placed a hefty buyout provision in Anderson's $700,000 per year five year contract specifying a $3 million buyout for the first two years, $2 million for the third and fourth years, and $1 million in the final year but do to an off-field issue he was fired and replaced by Laurence Gilbert! Source- https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arka...olves_football

Hey all and welcome to the first installment of Cold Brewed Light, a look inside the minor league system of the Colorado Rockies. I'll be doing this every 10 games and pretty much it will be to update everyone on the hottest players and coldest players at AAA and AA and the standings.

For the first post though I'll do a quick run down of the key players at each level (AAA/AA/A) and I'll be keeping tabs on them in each installment (if they're not already included as a hot or cold player).

Albuquerque Isotopes

The AAA farm team of the Colorado Rockies does not have that many players that can make a major impact on the parent club as it stands now. That being said there are some who will be able to develop into something hopefully down the road. Those are:

Gray started the year in AAA to refine his craft and he has done wonders for the rotation winning all 3 of his starts so far in the PCL season. I'd rather he stay down there for a while to see how he develops over his next 5-6 starts before even considering bringing him up to the major league level if the starters continue to struggle at the major league level.

Oberg has done a good job out of the pen so far in the 4 innings that he's been called upon. He so far has a WHIP of 1.50 with 4 K's on the year. There is some concern that he has walked 3 and surrendered 3 hits but he has been working with the pitching coach for the Isotopes (Training) on reducing those

Diaz was somebody who was considered to begin the year at AA New Britain or even in A Modesto in the California League but he showed enough poise in Spring Training to warrant an assignment to Albuquerque. He so far has rewarded that faith through his first 5 innings he's pitched. he currently has a WHIP of only 0.80 allowing 3 hits (1 a home run) and 1 walk while being perfect and picking up the save in all 3 opportunities. He currently sits with a 1.80 ERA

Ramiel Tapia has thrived at the AA level so far (he is one of the players on a hot streak for AA right now). His presence in the 2 hole and his ability to work the count and rip pitches into the gaps has translated well for his average and prospects in the farm system

Dahl is also a natural center fielder but is playing left right now and hits leadoff (due to his 77 speed). While not hitting for average at the same level as Tapia he is a home run threat and can work the occasional walk to get on for Tapia behind him. They form a good 1-2 punch at the top of the order.

Scholar has thrived at AA in the first 3 starts going 2-1 while striking out 19 and holding a respectable 2.05 ERA. His WHIP is 1.23 through the early parts of the season. He is being evaluated now for a possible promotion to AAA depending on the out comes of his next 2 starts.

When you're cold you're cold and Story is cold. That combined with Valaika's cold streak at short as well could wind up having a SS or utility infielder promoted from Modesto if things don't improve by May

Modesto Nuts

Since MLB the Show does not have playable A these will just be the top 3 players assigned to the A level for now and what their training on

All 3 players at Modesto are considered big players in the future for this Colorado ball club and will no doubt be featured here at higher levels. Rogers could be a natural successor to Tulo when he either retires or is traded down the road (I signed Rogers to keep things consistent with this years draft)

McMahon is working hard with the hitting coach at Modesto to improve his vision and plate presence for a potential call up to AA at some point in the year

Nunez is already a better fielder and hitter than the backup catcher at AA and with a bit more training behind the plate there is no doubt that by next year at the latest he can be the starting catcher at AA